Having listened to the major points raised in our recent Budget Debate, I am now convinced that the economic challenges being faced by our nation and the wider world community demands much more than the usual strategies. In fact, our political parties, private sector, financial analysts and others have confined their responses to our challenges to a particular socio-economic philosophy.

This philosophy is loosely described as the free-market approach. This approach has historically failed to create its intended objective of a world where economic equity and justice obtain. Probably the time has come for us to look at alternatives that can create a more just and equitable economic reality.

This alternative of which I speak is not simply a matter of going back to centrally planned economies, or mixed economies. This alternative is rooted in the Judaeo-Christian concept of stewardship. This concept speaks about managing the gifts of God for the people of God. The Anglican Book of Common Prayer has a section in its Eucharistic prayers that reads "The gifts of God for the people of God", with the response being "Our souls will feast and be satisfied, and we will sing songs of praise to Him". In these prayers we are reminded that it is God who provides for us, therefore any notion that we have an entitlement based on our efforts, our creativity, or that we are especially blessed is inconsistent with this philosophy.

Champion godly philosophy

The Church of which I am a part cannot continue to operate like innocent bystanders or passive supporters of the prevailing economic philosophy. We have to be forthright in proclaiming that the God of the Bible is not one who champions the philosophy of competition in which only the strong survive, and the weak and vulnerable struggle to sustain themselves. The God of the Church champions the philosophy of cooperation.

I am, etc.,

REV EDWARD JENNINGS

edwardjennings629@hotmail.com